Myrtle Ruth Williamson

MYRTLE WILLIAMSON October 15, 1912 ~ January 14, 2012 Myrtle Williamson, age 99, passed away on Jan. 14, 2012. She was born on Oct. 15, 1912 in Kimball, SD to Jane and John Wolbert. She was the youngest of six children. After finishing high school in Kimball, Myrtle attended Southern Normal School in Springfield, SD. She became a teacher at age 18 and taught in a one-room schoolhouse for four years. She married Walter "Pete" Williamson in 1936. In 1944, Pete and Myrtle strapped the ironing board to their 1937 Oldsmobile and, along with their three daughters, headed to the Pacific Northwest where Pete found work in the Kaiser Shipyards. They had their fourth child, a son, in 1945 while living in McLaughlin Heights. The family joined the East Vancouver Methodist Church in 1946, now the Vancouver Heights United Methodist Church. Myrtle was a very active member there all her life volunteering as a church secretary, Sunday school teacher, special events chairman, member of the Women's Society, helping with the church newsletter, and later as a visitor to shut-in's. When her children grew older, Myrtle worked at the Del Monte Cannery, at JC Penney, as a substitute teacher and finally as a full-time second-grade teacher at the Washington State School for the Blind. While she was teaching she pursued and received her B.A. degree at the University of Portland, graduating in August in 1963. She taught at the Blind School for 16 years. Myrtle was an avid Pinochle and Bridge player. She enjoyed reading, sewing, giving large dinners and taking care of her grandchildren. Myrtle is survived by her four children, DeAnna Gilbert of Redmond, WA, Sandra Van Sant of Lake Havasu City, AZ, Jeanie Kistler (husband Mike) of Oxnard, CA and Robert Williamson (wife Sandra) of Redmond, WA. She is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Verla Wolbert of Battle Ground, WA and Grace Holoubek of Mitchell, SD; many nieces and nephews; eleven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, Walter "Pete" Williamson; three brothers, Walt, Lewis and Oliver Wolbert, two sisters; Alice Kingsbury and Bertha Olsen and many friends. Memorial services will be held on Jan. 21, 2012 at the Vancouver Heights United Methodist Church, 5701 MacArthur Boulevard at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the Vancouver Heights United Methodist Church in Myrtle's name.

Myrtle Ruth Williamson

October 15, 1912 - January 14, 2012